UK Relay League 2012

[graeme]

I usually agree with mharky, I just don't like to admit it.

The point is that calling something the "UK Cup Final" doesn't make it any more attractive.

If it's a good event at a convenient time, like Darnaway, people will go. If the event is expected to be rubbish people will go to great (antipodean?) lengths to avoid it, regardless of title.

If you want to bribe people to go, you have to make it a selection race, or offer a better prize than "a cup for free to go along with your British Champion trophy, JK trophy and place in the WOC team".

[lilywhite]

It's a circular thing though isn't it - the event won't be rubbish if these people bother going to it. Why's the timing inconvenient? It's not about the prize, but it should be about exciting racing to find out who's been the best over the year. I don't think it makes sense to sit 2hrs drive away from the race and moan about how no-one will go to it, when going to it would make it good.

[Rich R]

It is a selection race this year. It is the sole selection race for the World Cup races in New Zealand at the start of 2013. Although I'm sure many would love to go, as it is a self help camp the likely cost is likely to put the majority off I would think.

[Scott]

Initial tables after the JK relay are now up at ukrelayleague.org.uk. As ever, please point out any errors to me at sjcollier@gmail.com

Congratulations to the Interløpers men and Edinburgh University ladies on their victories. A whole decade has passed since Interløpers won the men's League - will they triumph this year?

[Little Hoddy]

I think the new format is a great idea. I for one will make sure that a car from Oxford goes, it looks like a nice area! All this criticism is coming from one year's poor turnout at UKCup final, which to be honest has probably got more to do with the crap area it was held on (that's why I didn't go). Give it another chance!

The Sprint Relay is a very cool addition too, a pity though that it is the same day as the Oslo stage of Nordic O Tour - which many of our best sprinters will be at.

[graeme]

Thanks also for giving us in 120+ some points! It's great to run in an 80 team mens relay, even if the teams just ahead and just behind have women on them.

[andy]

Thanks also for giving us in 120+ some points! It's great to run in an 80 team mens relay, even if the teams just ahead and just behind have women on them.

It's a great idea to combine relays like this, more in the future please

[Scott]

Updated league tables from the British Relay Champs are now up at ukrelayleague.org.uk. If you spot any errors, please let me know at sjcollier@gmail.com

Interløpers completed the JK-British double, and so have opened up an early lead in the Men's League. Things are a bit closer in the Women's, with West Cumberland narrowly ahead of Edinburgh University after taking the British title to go with their second place at the JK.

[keever]

I know EUOC were n/c for the British relay due to the nationality of one runner but shouldn't they get the UKRL points?

[Scott]

Thanks. I had assumed that "n/c" meant that EUOC had borrowed a runner from another club to make up numbers or something similar - cf the "n/c" SYO17, who I'm pretty sure are not eligible for UKRL points.

If the EUOC team were just ineligible for British Champs medals, and were otherwise "competitve", then they should indeed get points. I'll confirm the reason for the non-competitive designation with the organisers, and update the points if appropriate.

[Tatty]

3rd leg runner was non UK citizen.

[Scott]

The organisers have indeed confirmed that the EUOC team were listed as non-competitive because their third-leg runner was not a British citizen, so I have redone the table accordingly (which means no point for KERNO ).

http://ukrelayleague.org.uk/men

[Scott]

Updated tables post-Scottish Relays now up at ukrelayleague.org.uk. Shout if you spot any mistakes.

Interløpers maintain their perfect record in the Men's and now have a whopping 21 point lead over South Yorkshire in second. Nottinghamshire drop down to fifth, but have run one fewer race than everybody else.

Edinburgh University go top of the Women's following their win at Creag Choinnich, but West Cumberland in second place have a race in hand.

Next up is the Harvester, this year being organised by British Army at Bordon Heaths near Aldershot on Sat 30th June/Sun 1st July. Entries close on 18 June.

[Scott]

Updated table now up after the Harvester at ukrelayleague.org.uk. As ever, let me know if I've got something wrong.

No change at the top in either League. Harvester victories for Forth Valley in the Men's and South Yorkshire in the Women's move both those teams up to second in their respective competitions, although Interl›øpers and Edinburgh University retain fairly comfortable leads for the moment.

Next up is the Sprint Relay in Sheffield on Sat 1 Sept, followed by the Final on Sat 6 Oct at Tockholes, near Blackburn, with the UK Cup and FCC Finals the next day. Preliminary details for the Finals weekend are now available on the PFO website.

[Scott]

Updated results after the Sheffield Sprint Relay are now up at ukrelayleague.org.uk.

In both the Men's and Women's League the leading teams were absent, allowing the chasing pack to narrow the gap. South Yorkshire's victory in the Women's race reduces Edinburgh University's overall lead to a mere two points, meaning that they would need to beat the students by at least three places to be certain of victory. South London and West Cumberland are also still in with a shout of taking the Women's crown.

In the Men's league Forth Valley, South Yorkshire and Lakeland all moved closer to Interlø›pers, but the Edinburgh club still have a ten-point lead over their nearest rivals.

It now comes down to the Final on Sat 6 Oct at Tockholes, near Blackburn, part of a weekend of races with the UK Cup and FCC Finals on the Sunday. Full details are available on the PFO website, and entries close on Sun 30th Sept.